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<p id="isPasted">Over the 28th and 29th of February, the Port of Dover 2050 Project attended a second round of special workshop sessions of the Port and Community Forum (PCF) and Port Users Group (PUG). These gatherings marked the next important stage of our engagement process with stakeholders actively participating in helping to shape the future of one of Britain's most crucial maritime gateways.</p><p>The agenda for these sessions was focused on looking at what social, environmental, financial and economic outcomes we all want to achieve and exploring some possible ideas for change that could help in delivering those outcomes.&nbsp;</p><p>One of the key takeaways from these discussions was the particular desire to bolster the Port's capacity to accommodate future traffic projections and growth opportunities whilst reducing congestion in and around the Port to ensure unimpeded local community and business activity.&nbsp;</p><p>Acknowledging the global challenge of climate change and the urgent drive to decarbonise, among the prioritised outcomes chosen by the PCF was the provision of clean electricity to power hybrid or fully electric ferries, cruise ships, and cargo vessels. Beyond the outcomes already suggested, there was a desire to consider ways in which the Port can deliver industry-specific skills, including to prepare the local community for future jobs and opportunities. There was also a strong recognition of the importance of collaboration with the town and wider stakeholders, recognising the desire and importance of working in partnership to deliver shared outcomes.</p><p>Within the ideas for change, there was overwhelming support from both groups for using digital technology to improve the safety, security, and especially flow of traffic through border controls, around the Port, and on the public highway.&nbsp;</p><p>The Port User Group emphasised the importance of ensuring that the local community benefits from the Port as a 'good neighbour', as well as suggestions to incentivise cruise passengers to visit the town through improved public transport connections.</p><p>There was also a call for greater flexibility of land use across the Port estate to respond quickly to changing customer and business demands.</p><p>Interested in participating? Make sure to check Commonplace frequently for updates or visit the Marine Office's feedback station to share your thoughts before 31<sup>st</sup> March.</p>

Community stakeholders and port users focus on outcomes and ideas for future change

<p id="isPasted"><strong>Port of Dover Calls on&nbsp;Stakeholders to Help Shape Future of the Port</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>The Port of Dover is today launching a 6-week public engagement period to hear from local communities, visitors, Port users and wider stakeholders on the outcomes and ideas they think the Port should pursue to 2050.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>This is the latest phase of ‘Port of Dover 2050’, the programme by Britain’s busiest port and ARUP to develop a long-term plan to become the UK’s most seamless, sustainable, and tech-enabled port, entrenching the Port as a symbol of national trade resilience well into the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>In our ever-changing world, patterns and behaviours of travel, business, commerce, and leisure are rapidly changing too – driven by societal shifts, technological advances, economic change, and our climate and environment. The Port of Dover itself faces challenges as it looks ahead to the future, from the critical need to decarbonise maritime and road transport and rising sea levels, to skills gaps and rapid advancements in digitalisation. However, through its 2050 plan and the identification of solutions, these challenges will become opportunities. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said:&nbsp;</p><p>“The level and scale of change seen by the Port of Dover throughout its history, from Roman times to the award of our royal charter in 1606, to today, is simply vast. To remain an established strategic asset for the United Kingdom to the present day has taken creativity and innovation at every step to adapt to the challenges of the day.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Port of Dover 2050 is our strategic masterplan project to help us understand the opportunities and challenges the Port faces now and into the future and the changes and potential investments we need to make over the long term. With the launch of the public engagement period today, we are seeking to work with our many stakeholders to identify the best solutions; subsequently driving value for our business and employees, the local community, and the regional and national economy – through economic, environmental, and social benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>So far, through our online engagement hub, we've been delighted to hear from members of the public, community organisations, businesses, and our employees about your memories and aspirations for the future of the Port. These have informed the possible outcomes and ideas for change we are <a href="https://mypod2050.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/port-of-dover-2050-public-consultation/step1">now seeking your views on</a> – and we can’t wait to hear from you during this next stage of the 2050 engagement journey.</p>

Port of Dover Calls on Stakeholders to Help Shape Future of the Port

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<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1702904799/projects/mypod2050/d9b4df7a-26b3-4425-9287-aed3ac2057db.jpg" /> <p>The Port Users Group (PUG) met on Tuesday 5 December, contributing expertise from a broad range of customers, operators, partners and users into a workshop that not only studied and rationalised the vital global drivers that will affect the future of the Port, but also revealed mutual aspirations for a shared, positive future that aligned with views expressed at the Port and Community Forum (PCF) a week earlier.</p> <p>At the heart of the Group’s discussion were considerations on how to best maximise traffic fluidity in order to enable future growth and opportunity for the port whilst alleviating negative impacts on the local community and businesses.  Importantly, this led to a discussion on how to foster a long-term step change in the positive perception of the port and Dover more widely.</p> <p><strong>Trade, Travel and Community</strong></p> <p>At the heart of the PUG’s focus was the need to continue successfully adapting to post-Brexit challenges whilst responding to the continuation of express online purchasing demand and the impacts of de-globalisation that may result in more goods moving between the UK and Europe. Echoing the PCF, Port and town cohesion, with a focus on developing experience and leisure opportunities suggested increasing collaboration with local partners would be required.</p> <p><strong>Sustainability and Environment</strong></p> <p>The Group stressed that electrification of the route was the way ahead, from the ferries and other vessels to lorries and cars, meaning the Port will need to be in a position to provide for this. Rail was not deemed suitable for Dover’s operations, with road freight remaining the dominant form of transportation for goods into the long term. Devoting time, energy and resources to driving sustainability and resilience was deemed of paramount importance for the Port, its users and the people of Dover.</p> <p><strong>Assets, Technology and Operations</strong></p> <p>The Group was keen to discuss the practical applications of technology to help streamline operations across the Port. The need for a better understanding of where lorries are on the network was discussed, with ideas such as virtual lorry queues and electronic notifications to call drivers to the Port in order to proceed onto the ferry. A dedicated inland facility for processing lorries away from the Port (including for queuing, driver welfare, refuelling and border processing) was a popular idea, emphasising the need to reduce congestion leading up the Port.</p> <p>The overriding message from the PUG was the desire for more collaboration between the Port and its stakeholders to provide a seamless exchange of ideas and drive the long-term development and success of the port and its users.</p> <p>There was a great sense of anticipation in the room as to where the future could take us together.</p>

The Port Users Group meet to share their inputs into the 2050 Plans

Imagine the Port in 2050. What will it be like? What will be different from the Port today?

Our vision is to become the UK’s most seamless, sustainable, and tech-enabled port. To do this, we need your input into our future plans.

The Port of Dover 2050: Empower Exchange is looking to understand where we need to be planning for change, and investing for our future.

Through this Hub, you, the Port’s people, can share your ideas to inform the development of our future plans, learn about what is proposed, and provide your comments as our plans evolve. 

Welcome to our 2050 Engagement Hub

My Port of Dover 2050

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Our public engagement period is now closed for feedback, but you can still find out more about our outcomes, ideas for change and value drivers here!

Port of Dover 2050 Public Engagement

What are the outcomes we want to achieve?

<p>We want to achieve the best outcomes for all our stakeholders, including our employees, our customers, our community, businesses, and local and national authority partners, in line with our vision.</p><p><br></p><p>By understanding the challenges we face now and in the future as well as the things that we all value the most, we can begin to define what those outcomes could be.</p><p>Here are some possible outcomes that we have come up with for you to consider.</p><p>Are they the right ones? Are we missing anything?</p>

Our Outcomes

Ideas for Change

<p>There are 16 areas of possible change for the Port.</p><p>These ideas have been developed following:</p><ul><li>Our research and analysis of the current opportunities and challenges facing the Port.</li><li>Consideration of future climate, technological, travel and other trends.</li><li>Input from our employees, stakeholders, travel and other trends.</li></ul><p>At this stage these are ideas only, rather than formal proposals. Subject to feedback, practicality and investment priorities, some of these may progress to the next stage in the project for further consideration, and some may not progress further.</p><p>We welcome your views to help inform our decision making regarding which of these we should consider further.</p><p><strong>Scroll to see our 16 ideas</strong></p>

Value Drivers

<p id="isPasted">The Port succeeds, when we are able to deliver positive outcomes for all those who use, work, and are impacted by the Port&#39;s activities and offer.</p><p>Our future plans must be affordable, realisable, and deliver positive social, economic, and environmental benefits.</p><p>We have broke our desired outcomes from Port of Dover 2050 into four different value drivers with clear desired impacts associated with each.</p>

<h2 id="isPasted">ECONOMIC</h2><h4 data-uw-rm-heading="level">Benefits to the local, regional and national economy</h4><p>The Port of Dover provides better connections, which empowers exchange: of goods, cultures, experiences and ideas. Exchange creates growth and makes trade and innovation flow, supporting the economic success of the District of Dover, Kent and the UK.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><h2>FINANCIAL</h2><h4 data-uw-rm-heading="level">Returns to Port of Dover and investors</h4><p>The Port of Dover is a commercially successful organisation, enabling investment for the Port of Dover 2050 project and securing the future of the Port.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><h2 id="isPasted">ENVIRONMENTAL</h2><h4 data-uw-rm-heading="level">Benefits to nature</h4><p>The Port of Dover delivers benefits to nature, recognising current and future environmental drivers.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><h2>SOCIAL</h2><h4 data-uw-rm-heading="level">Benefits for people</h4><p>The Port of Dover is delivering value to our diverse employees, visitors and local communities, through our inclusive approach.</p>

Current Challenges Facing the Port

Future Challenges Facing the Port

<h3 id="isPasted">Climate and Environment</h3><ul><li>Rising sea level</li><li>More frequent and extreme weather events</li><li>Changes in travel and tourist patterns</li><li>The need to decarbonise maritime transport</li><li>Stricter environmental rules</li><li>Transition from Net Zero to Net Gain i.e. actually having a positive impact on the environment</li></ul>

<h3 id="isPasted">Technology, Assets and Operations</h3><ul><li>Rapidly growing digitalisation (e.g. artificial intelligence) and automation of Port operations</li><li><p>Meeting the rise in electric and low-carbon fuel vehicles</p></li><li><p>Ageing assets (e.g. infrastructure, buildings)</p></li><li><p>Further complexity in border control processes</p></li><li><p>Not enough people with the skills needed for future jobs</p></li></ul>

<p id="isPasted">1.Deliver new pre-departure facilities for ferry and cruise passengers to enhance customer experience.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>2.Improve the customer experience for all users through enhanced separation of routes and facilities for tourists and freight drivers, and customer fast lanes.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>3.Enable greater flexibility of land use across the Port estate to respond quickly to changing customer and business demands.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>4.Create dedicated routes for Port traffic between the Eastern and Western Docks to enhance the efficiency of operations and to reduce impact on local road network.</p><p><br></p>

<p id="isPasted">5.Provide enhanced public transport and walking/cycling connections within the Port and to the town centre, railway station and key attractions.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>6.Enhance amenity at the waterfront and rejuvenate and better utilise the area for new and different purposes (e.g. hotel, new office or workspace).</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>7.Develop a new major visitor attraction at the Port that brings people to Dover as a destination and enhances the visitor experience.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>8.Develop a safer and more pleasant experience for pedestrians and cyclists within and to the Western Docks to access cruise services and seafront.</p>

<p id="isPasted">9.Create a new Maritime Academy to develop port-related skills, conduct research and promote innovation.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>10.Operate cargo business 24 hours a day creating new jobs and increasing capacity of the Port to process the import and export of goods.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>11.Reclaim additional land from the sea within the Port&rsquo;s existing boundaries to increase the Port&rsquo;s capacity to support travel and trade.</p>

<p id="isPasted">12.Use digital technology to improve the safety, security and flow of traffic through border controls, around the Port and on the public highway.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>13.Create new and more flexible infrastructure to allow different types of vessel to berth anywhere in the Port.</p>

<p id="isPasted">14.Widen the beach to enhance the Waterfront for local people and visitors to enjoy while helping adapt to climate change.</p><p><br data-uw-rm-sr=""></p><p>15.Enable new and existing infrastructure to withstand climate change, including rising sea levels, temperatures, and increased frequency and intensity of storms.</p>

<p>16.Create electric charging capability for vessels and energy storage/renewable energy generation to support efficient Port infrastructure.&nbsp;</p>

Our public engagement period is over, but we still want to hear your aspirations for the Port! 
Tell us how you would like to see the Port of Dover change by 2050.

Port of Dover 2050 Aspirations

As we embark on this journey we’d love to hear about your aspirations for the future of the Port. 

<p>Click on the purple "Have your say" button in the top right-hand corner of the page and drop a pin on a location within the purple shaded area where you have an aspiration to share. Feel free to return to the map to submit multiple aspirations.

My Port of Dover 2050 Aspirations

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What is most likely to have the greatest impact on the Port in the next 30 years?

Future Trends

<p>We want to deliver world-class travel, trading and visitor experiences to become the UK&rsquo;s most seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled Port. To achieve our vision, we need to understand where we need to be planning for change and investing for the future. Understanding the importance and likely impact of key trends will help inform our 2050 plan. Please share your views below.</p>

Click here to learn more about the Port of Dover 2050!

About the Project

<h1>About the Port of Dover 2050 Plan</h1><p id="isPasted">Changes in society and the economy, technological advances, and a rapidly changing climate and environment are impacting the way we travel and do business, to how we shop and socialise. This presents the Port with new opportunities and challenges to take advantage of. To ensure that the Port is ready to adapt to these changes we are undertaking a future planning exercise. This exercise will look ahead to 2050, it will help us understand where, what, and how the Port needs to change in the future.</p><p>Port of Dover 2050 is running from summer 2023 to late 2024, throughout this process we will be continuously engaging with our people and key external stakeholders of the Port. Over February and March of 2024 we opened the conversation to local people, community organisations, businesses, and our customers through our period of public engagement. We would like to thank everyone who contributed their feedback and comments on our outcomes, ideas for change and value drivers.</p><p>Your feedback will now be analysed by our technical and design teams. Once we have proposals to share, we will seek your feedback on these which will then feed into the final 2050 plan.</p><p>As we progress and our plans develop we will be updating this internal Port of Dover site, as well as our external Port of Dover 2050 website and our social media channels, to bring you the latest news and let you know when and how you can engage.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br></p>

What area does Port of Dover 2050 cover?

<p id="isPasted">Port of Dover 2050 covers the Port estate - land which is owned by Dover Harbour Board. This is the area within the dotted red line in the image below.&nbsp;</p><p>As part of planning for the future, we will though of course be thinking much wider than this, about how the Port can support the future success of Dover, Kent, and the UK.&nbsp;</p>

Read about our purpose, vision and mission for the Port of Dover 2050.

Our Purpose, Vision and Mission

Our approach to engagement

<h2 id="isPasted"><strong>Empower Exchange through better connections</strong></h2><p>Every trade, travel and visitor experience is an opportunity for connection and exchange. When we connect, we exchange goods, cultures, experiences and ideas. Exchange creates growth and makes trade and innovation flow. It&#39;s how we strengthen communities and build economies.</p>

<h2 id="isPasted"><strong>Our Vision is a world where exchange is seamless, smart, and sustainable for all</strong></h2><p>We deliver world-class travel, trading, and visitor experiences, as the UK&rsquo;s most seamless, sustainable, and tech-enabled port.&nbsp;</p>

<h2 id="isPasted"><strong>To achieve our vision we see it as our mission to close the gap everyday</strong></h2><p>We close the gap between the UK and the world, collaborating with local and international partners to create world-class travel, trading, and visitor experiences. We work openly with all our stakeholders, continuously improving and sustainably innovating to empower exchange.</p>

<h1 id="isPasted">Empower Each Other</h1><h3 style="text-align: left;">We trust, respect, and recognise each other.</h3>

<h1>Look after everyone and everything</h1><h3>We are safe, secure and sustainable. We care about people&#39;s well-being, are are responsible custodians of assets.</h3>

<h1>Exchange ideas and innovate</h1><h3>We share out knowledge and experience. We encourage curiosity and challenge the boundaries of what&#39;s possible.</h3>

<h1 id="isPasted">Working together</h1><h3>We are one team, unified to deliver the best results.</h3>

<h2>Honest</h2><h4>The values of the Port are at the centre of all decision-making. Participants are informed of; how the engagement process will influence decision-making, the boundaries of what can and can&rsquo;t be changed, and the reasons why.<p><br></p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1693923648/projects/64db90caa461c42279abffe9/ybv83hdrgwozvnznvoh0.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></h4>

<h2 style="text-align: left;">Inclusive</h2><h4>Participants are diverse and representative of the groups affected. Channels of engagement and communications are accessible and encourage broad participation.&nbsp;<p><br></p><p><br></p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1693923789/projects/64db90caa461c42279abffe9/vvl98r9memlq1sakxfna.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></h4>

<h2>Connected</h2><h4>Everyone feels connected to the proposals with easy access to information. The process allows strong relationships to be built with a transparent feedback loop.<p><br></p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1693923939/projects/64db90caa461c42279abffe9/vl1hb05ktxddvydky1qa.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">&nbsp;</h4>

<h2 id="isPasted">Innovative</h2><h4>Creative ideas and approaches will be embraced to encourage broad participation from a diverse and representative audience.<p><br></p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1693923984/projects/64db90caa461c42279abffe9/zw0vequywvcuyuqwvyyz.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></h4>

Learn about who we are engaging with outside of the Port to help shape our 2050 Plan.

External Engagement

Who are we engaging with externally?

<p id="isPasted">In addition to engaging with our people, we will be engaging with our external stakeholders including local, regional and national government, local residents, our customers, tenants, and key operators in the Port for our ferry, cruise, and cargo businesses. &nbsp;</p><p>Our engagement will be both via our external PoD 2050 website which launched in October 2023 - <a href="https://portofdover2050.commonplace.is/" id="isPasted">https://portofdover2050.commonplace.is/</a> a 6 week public engagement exercise has been held, along with meetings with key stakeholders.</p><p>In addition, we will be engaging with the Port&rsquo;s Advisory Groups.</p><p>The Port User Group (PUF) consists of representatives of our port users, borders agencies, tenants and others who have an interest in the commercial and operational functioning of the harbour.</p><p>The Port Community Forum (PCF) includes a diverse membership of people and organisations who have an interest in the functioning of the harbour in the context of the local community and local economy.</p><p id="isPasted"><strong>Port Community Forum</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date of Meeting</strong></td><td><strong>Purpose of Meeting</strong></td><td><strong>Meeting Held</strong></td></tr><tr><td>28 February 2024</td><td>To share and discuss our ideas for change and gather feedback and comments.</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>27 November 2023</td><td>Introducing Port of Dover 2050<br><br>A chance to consider trends likely to influence the Port&#39;s future in the next 30 years and to consider your aspirations for the Port<br><br><br></td><td>Yes</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p><strong>Port Advisory Group</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date of Meeting</strong></td><td><strong>Purpose of Meeting</strong></td><td><strong>Meeting Held</strong></td></tr><tr><td>29 February 2024</td><td>To share and discuss our ideas for change and gather feedback and comments.<br></td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>5 December 2023</td><td>Introducing Port of Dover 2050<br><br>A chance to consider trends likely to influence the Port&#39;s future in the next 30 years and to consider your aspirations for the Port<br><br></td><td>Yes</td></tr></tbody></table><p id="isPasted"><strong>Port Exchange</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date of Meeting</strong></td><td><strong>Purpose of Meeting</strong></td><td><strong>Meeting Held</strong></td></tr><tr><td>20 February 2024</td><td>To share and discuss our ideas for change and gather feedback and comments.<br></td><td>Yes</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p>We&#39;ll be engaging closely with these Groups throughout the year to inform our 2050 Plan.</p><p>We have now launched our Young People&#39;s Port Network - if you are interested to find out more and get involved, please email <a href="mailto:2050@portofdover.com">2050@portofdover.com</a>.</p><p>Please direct any of your friends and family who may wish to engage to <a href="https://portofdover2050.commonplace.is/" id="isPasted">https://portofdover2050.commonplace.is/</a>.</p><p><br></p>